Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Werewolf Guide v1.5
by theonyxphoenix
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- v1.0 June 4 2012
Completed Faq
- v1.1 June 19 2012
Minor grammatical fixes.
Added Ebonyflesh or Dragonhide section
Updated Werewolves and Vampirism Section
- v1.2 June 26 2012
Updated DLC Section
- v1.3 July 1 2012
Updated skills section
Updated Vampire Lord Section
Updated Dawnguard Section
- v1.4 July 11 2012
Updated information on werewolf damage resistance
Updated information regarding Dragonhide and Ebonyflesh throughout
- v1.5 June 25 2013
Updated with Dragonborn DLC content
Addressed any bugfixes as a result of patches
Updated Vampire Lord/Werewolf Hybrid section
Most recent patch: 1.9
Table of Contents:
0.1 Overview
1.0 Becoming a Werewolf
1.1 Take up Arms
1.2 Trouble in Skyrim
1.3 Proving Honor
1.4 The Silver Hand
2.0 The Beast Form
2.1 Advantages
2.2 Disadvantages
3.0 Ring of Hircine
3.1 Ill Met by Moonlight
4.0 Totems of Hircine
4.1 Totem of the Hunt
4.2 Totem of Brotherhood
4.3 Totem of Fear
5.0 Curing Lycanthropy
5.1 Glory of the Dead
5.2 Purity
6.0 Building a Better Beast
6.1 Magicka, Stamina, and Health
6.1.1 Ebonyflesh or Dragonhide
6.2 Race
6.3 Skills and Perks
6.4 Standing Stones
6.5 Equipment
6.5.1 Armor
6.5.2 Weapons
6.6 Shouts
6.7 Other Powers
6.7.1 Quest Rewards
6.7.2 Meditating of the Words of Power
6.7.3 Guild Abilities
6.7.4 Other
6.8 Blessings
6.9 Followers
7.0 Glitches
7.1 Follower equip glitch
7.2 Right hand equip glitch
7.3 Bow equip glitch
7.4 Man-beast glitch
8.0 Techniques and Strategies
8.1 Wild Animals
8.2 Monsters
8.3 Dragons
8.4 Dwarven Automatons
8.5 Draugr
8.6 Humans
8.7 Glitched Weapons and Equipment
9.0 Werewolves and Vampirism
9.1 Timing at the Underforge - Stage 4
9.2 Timing at the Underforge - Stage 2
9.3 When Curing Lycanthropy
9.4 Necromage
10.0 DLC
10.1 Dawnguard
10.1.1 Werewolf Perk Tree
10.1.2 Vampire Lord
10.1.3 Unique Dawnguard Hybrids
10.1.4 Regaining Lycanthropy
10.1.5 New Stuff
10.2 Dragonborn
10.2.1 Unique Werewolf Rings
10.2.2 Blessings
10.2.3 Dragon Shouts
10.2.4 Greater Powers
10.2.5 Cleansing Stones
10.2.6 Lesser Powers
10.2.7 Passive Abilies
10.2.8 Spells
11.0 Q&A
12.0 Legal
** [ 0.1 ] OVERVIEW *********************************************************
This guide is to detail the ins and outs of becoming a werewolf in Skyrim
and how to most efficiently play as one. This is one of my favorite play-
styles and even more so with the addition of the Dawnguard DLC. Hopefully
you find this to be helpful and informative. This guide is assuming that
you have played through the game and I will divulge spoilers (albeit, I
attempted to keep them to a minimum) throughout.
** [ 1.0 ] BECOMING A WEREWOLF ***********************************************
[ 1.1 ] Take up Arms
Head to Whiterun to encounter Aela the Huntress, Ria, and Farkas fighting a
giant near Pelagia Farm. She will send you to Jorrvaskr to talk to Kodlak
Whitemane about joining the Companions. Go downstairs and talk to Kodlak and
he will have you go outside with Vilkas to test you. Hit him a few times and
he will send you to Eorlund Gray-Mane to have his sword sharpened. Eorlund
will ask you to take Aela's shield to her. She is in Jorrvaskr downstairs.
She'll have Farkas show you the barracks. Speak to Farkas after his dialogue
for a radiant quest.
[ 1.2 ] Trouble in Skyrim
Just follow the quest marker and complete this quest. It will often require
you to kill an animal terrorizing someone's home or to brawl someone. Once
you have completed the quest return to Jorrvaskr and speak to Skjor.
[ 1.3 ] Proving Honor
Skjor will send you and Farkas to Dustman's Cairn. It is located in the
plains west of Whiterun. Filled with Draugr and Silver Hand members you can
have Farkas take out most of the enemies but he can get overwhelmed so use
Alteration flesh spells, conjure familiar, and your best weapon since you
don't have Beast Form yet. The dungeon is pretty straightforward. You will
come to a room where activating a switch will cause you to become trapped.
Farkas will be surrounded by Silver Hand members and will shift into Beast
Form to dispatch them before freeing you. Proceed through the dungeon. You
can let draugr and Silver Hand members fight it out before mopping up the
survivors. If you are wanting money the silver weapons sell for a good price.
At the end of the dungeon you will have to fight numerous Draugr
(you can kill them in the coffins before grabbing the fragment) and can
obtain a word for the Fire Breath shout (meh). Once out, you may want to
travel south to the mountains and find Bloated Man's Grotto. You'll be
headed there eventually. Soon, likely. Now head back to Jorrvaskr and speak
to Vilkas to become an official member of the Companions. You can get a
free Skyforge Steel weapon from Eorlund, not that you will need it soon.
[ 1.4 ] The Silver Hand
After doing another radiant quest you will be sent back to Skjor. He will
tell you to meet him at night near the Underforge. Enter and follow the
dialogue options to participate in the ritual and gain Beast Form. If you
want to become a werewolf/vampire hybrid then see the section on vampirism
BEFORE you join in the ritual to become a werewolf. Drink the blood. You
will automatically transform and be released into Whiterun. You cannot die.
If your health drains too low you will simply continue on with the quest and
wake up near Gallows Rock. You will not incur bounty during this time. You
can re-enter the Underforge and wait out the transformation if you wish. It
is worthy to note that Aela can be attacked repeatedly with no retaliation
infinitely and you can increase your weapon skills since she will regenerate
her health. You can choose to continue with the Companion's quest line but
typically I would recommend heading to Gallows Rock to mark it on the map
and then go to Falkreath to obtain the Ring of Hircine for unlimited
werewolf transformations. See Ring of Hircine section.
** [ 2.0 ] THE BEAST FORM ****************************************************
Once gaining the Beast Form ability you can transform into a werewolf once
per day by equipping the ability to your RB button just like a racial power.
You are vulnerable to attack during the transformation animation. Your new
form lasts for two minutes and thirty seconds and the duration is increased
by 30 seconds by each humanoid corpse you feed upon. When you wish to
revert to human form you can either wait out the duration of the
transformation or you can use the "wait" function to wait for one hour (or
more) which will cause you to revert. Note that you can only do this when
you are out of range of enemies. Some of the information here changes when
you install the Dawnguard DLC. See Dawnguard section for details.
-- [ 2.1 ] ADVANTAGES ------------------------------------------------------
- Beast Form increases your max health and max health by 100. These numbers
may change with the inclusion of the Dawnguard DLC.
- Werewolves are 100% resistant to disease and cannot contract any diseases
including the one causing Vampirism. It is possible to become both a
werewolf and a vampire. See Werewolves and Vampirism.
- Werewolf sprinting speed is faster than any other creature including
horses. This makes overland travel much easier. In addition, it also
allows for more control over outdoor battles. The maneuverability gained by
this speed allows you to adopt more of a hit and run tactic so that you can
employ the leap attack... one of the werewolf's most powerful abilities.
- Werewolves have a very high carrying capacity. This allows you to carry
great loads and you are able to move and run at normal speeds.
- The werewolf's claw attack is dependent upon character level. The attack
power is base 20 and levels five points every fourth level beginning at
level 11 to a maximum of 70 at level 45+ for normal left and right claw
attacks. Directional power attacks cause any enemy apart from mammoths and
dragons to ragdoll. However, the power attacks can stun these larger
enemies instead. Standing power attacks will do a 3-swipe combo power
attack. The most damaging attack that you can perform is the leap attack.
This is achieved by using the sprint button and either left or right claw
attack while running. You will do a running leap with both claws at the
enemy and will do 3x damage and cause knockdown. You can easily take down
giants and dragons in a few swipes. Details on how best to use these
attacks are detailed in the Techniques section. Claw attacks are not
related to any weapon skill so they do not provide any skill increase, nor
do they benefit from any weapon perks or racial perks.
- Werewolves have four kill cam moves. By finishing the enemy with a RT
attack you will jump on the enemy and maul them with both claws
repeatedly. By finishing with the LT button you will jump on the enemy and
bite them. By finishing with both RT and LT simultaneously you may either
pick up the enemy and throw them a long distance or alternately you may
decapitate them.
- When coming across (or creating) a humanoid corpse you can stand over them
and press A to feed. This will allow you 30 additional seconds of Beast
Form as well as healing 50 health each time you feed. You cannot feed on
Draugr, Falmer, etc however Vampires and any playable race humanoids permit
feeding. You are vulnerable and can be damaged or killed while feeding. If
you use a howl or press the X button once you begin feeding you can cancel
the animation and still gain all of the benefits.
Feeding is the only way to regain health while in Beast Form (apart from the
Avoid Death perk). Health regeneration virtually stops (but can be boosted
by incredibly high Fortify Health Regen potions created using the Fortify
Restoration glitch) but Stamina regeneration is boosted dramatically.
- Werewolves have the ability to use unique shout-like abilities known as
howls by using RB while in Beast Form. The default howl is called Scent of
Blood and causes a fear effect on all living creatures under level 25.
Additional howls can be obtained through the Totems of Hircine quests [see
Totems of Hircine]. Howls will not cause summoned or raised creatures to
become hostile. Howls use the shout bar for recharging and shouts with
long cool-down times can prevent you from howling when you shift.
- Most abilities activated prior to transformation will still be in effect
when you transform. This allows your Beast Form to be much more viable that
it otherwise would. Details on individual abilities are detailed in the
Building a Better Beast section.
- Crimes committed as a werewolf do not incur bounty unless you are seen
feeding on a corpse.
- Wild wolves will not attack you while you are in Beast Form.
-- [ 2.2 ] DISADVANTAGES ---------------------------------------------------
- In this form you gain no bonuses from sleeping (i.e. Well Rested, Lover's
Comfort). Standing Stones that allow for fast skill leveling still operate
normally.
- Transforming in sight of most NPCs, including spouses (unless they in one
of the excluded groups), will cause them to become hostile and incur a 1000
bounty in that hold. Companions, housecarls, members of the Dark
Brotherhood, the Thieves Guild, Serana, and Maliq the Liar will not become
hostile while seeing you transform. However, if you use howls around them
it can cause them to become hostile or leave your service.
- When in Beast Form all equipment is removed giving you an effective armor
rating of 0 (unless you are using a pre-1.3.10 patch version of the game in
which case armor is affected by your Light Armor skill). Dawnguard
werewolves will gain damage reduction as level increases.
- The character menu cannot be accessed so you cannot use potions, change
equipment or powers, use magic, use activated racial or Standing Stone
abilities, etc. You cannot loot corpses or open chests. You can still open
unlocked door and activate switches in dungeons. You cannot open locked
doors or (surprisingly) claw through spiderwebs. Also, you cannot speak to
NPCs unless they initiate the conversation.
- Forced third person view. This may cause some adjustment when learning to
attack but becoming comfortable with this view is imperative to being a
successful werewolf.
** [ 3.0 ] THE RING OF HIRCINE ***********************************************
If you are truly wanting to play a werewolf character then you are going to
want to obtain the uncursed Ring of Hircine which is an artifact obtained
during the Ill Met by Moonlight Daedric quest and it will allow you
unlimited transformations per day. You must re-equip the ring and the Ring
of Hircine ability to your power menu after each transformation since the
ring will be unequipped when in beast form.
This quest can be done at any level, however the ring will only allow
multiple transformations if the wearer has already obtained Beast Form
through the Companions quests. In order to start the quest you need to
travel to the hold of Falkreath. Enter downstairs of Falkreath Barracks and
speak to Sinding. Accept the Cursed Ring of Hircine. This will cause you
to randomly transform into Beast Form (only if you have obtained it). Head
out of Falkreath to find and kill the white stag.
Once you have done so, Hircine will ask you to find and kill Sinding.
Accept the quest and head to Bloated Man's Grotto. Speak to Sinding and
offer to help him destroy the hunters. If you have Beast Form it can be fun
to have two werewolves running amok.
Once the hunters are dead, exit the cave and speak to Hircine to get the
uncursed Ring of Hircine. (Optional) You can go back in the cave to kill
Sinding and skin him to receive the Savior's Hide as well (as of 1.5 patch).
If you get both it counts as two Daedric items for the Oblivion Walker
achievement (in case you missed one or want to keep Barbas around).
If you chose not to complete the quest and keep the cursed ring it has a 10%
chance every minute to cause you to transform into a werewolf. It is also
possible to obtain both rings if you give the cursed ring to a follower
after you receive the "completed" message when you kill all of the hunters.
You can obtain an uncursed ring from Hircine and retrieve the cursed version
from your follower. You can still obtain the Savior's Hide as well. The
randomness is just that...random. You may go many in-game hours without
transforming.
** [ 4.0 ] TOTEMS OF HIRCINE *************************************************
Once completing the Companions quest line you can speak to Aela the Huntress
to enable these quests. She will have the dialogue prompt "Is there any work
to be done?". Sometimes you must complete Animal Extermination Quests before
Aela will give you a Totem quest. There are three in all. The quests are not
scripted to specific dungeons so they appear like radiant quests. These are
not available if you have cured yourself of Lycanthropy. You will need to
obtain these if you wish to use the upgraded howls from the Dawnguard DLC tree.
These quests are plagued with glitches that will cause them to be
unobtainable. Most of these are supposed to have been remedied in patch 1.9
but it is better to be safe than sorry. Some key points to remember to help
avoid these glitches are as follows. Once you have completed all three quests
you can disregard these points.
- When you obtain the Glenmoril witch heads do not drop or store them.
- Do not accept Aela the Huntress as a follower
- Do not marry Aela the Huntress
Once obtaining a Totem you will need to place it in the Underforge. You can
pray to these Totems at any time to change your werewolf howl. You can only
have one equipped at a time but can change them whenever you wish. Howling
has a large AOE and it targets everything it range which can cause followers
to become hostile or leave your service. The three totems are:
-- [ 4.1 ] TOTEM OF THE HUNT ----------------------------------------------
Totem of the Hunt is identical to the Alteration spell Detect Life. During
most enemy encounters you will want to already be in beast form before
engaging and you won't be doing much sneaking. Totem of the Hunt is
beneficial in tracking down enemies in battle, but using any of the other
howls will show the enemies on the compass so it is really obsolete. When you
are not in beast form you can just use Detect Life or Aura Whisper to find
enemies before transforming.
-- [ 4.2 ] TOTEM OF BROTHERHOOD ----------------------------------------------
Totem of Brotherhood is the best howl for higher levels. This howl creates
two red wolf spirits that attack enemies. These wolf spirits are similar to
the wolf spirits created by the Familiar conjuration spell. Unfortunately,
unlike your summons, followers will attack the wolves when they spawn since
the howl causes them to become hostile. The wolves aren't particularly
powerful either. However, they do serves a alternate targets for enemies
which can take the pressure off of you. This howl has the longest recharge of
the three. The wolves will disappear when you exit beast form.
-- [ 4.3 ] TOTEM OF FEAR -----------------------------------------------------
Totem of Fear returns you to the default howl. It is a fear spell with a
large AOE and is effective on enemies under level 25. As you increase in
level and enemies scale with you it becomes less and less effective. It still
can work on groups since they tend to have enemies of varying levels. It will
also work on wild animals and other creatures that are encountered regardless
of level. Totem of Fear is ineffective versus dragons and undead. It is not
affected by Illusion perks that increase fear spells.
** [ 5.0 ] CURING LYCANTHROPY ************************************************
[ 5.1 ] Glory of the Dead
If you no longer wish to be a werewolf then you can be cured by continuing on
with the Companion's quest line. Your betters will send you to destroy the
Glenmoril Witches. You will need at least two Glenmoril Witch heads. One to
cure Kodlak and one to cure yourself.
It is of note that you can feed on Companion ghosts if you do it before they
disappear. This can keep your health up throughout the dungeon.
Once you make your way through Ysgramor's Tomb you will speak to Kodlak and
toss a head into the Flame of the Harbinger to remove Kodlak's beast spirit.
Once you defeat it (which is also RP fun to do in Beast Form) you free Kodlak
and become Harbinger. If you want to be cured of Lycanthropy you can activate
the Flame of the Harbinger again to fight your wolf spirit and cure yourself.
If you leave the Tomb of Ysgramor you will have to cure Farkas or Vilkas of
Lycanthropy before you can cure yourself. You can even use your beast form
to fight your own beast spirit, however you will lose the ability to transform
once the spirit is slain.
[ 5.2 ] Purity
If you didn't cure yourself of Lycanthropy during Glory of the Dead and you
choose to do so later you must speak to Farkas or Vilkas with a Glenmoril
Witch head in your inventory. They will ask to be cured and you can take them
to the Tomb of Ysgramor to do so. You will have to eliminate their wolf
spirit as well before you can cure yourself by throwing a second witch head
into the Fire of the Harbinger. Sometimes you are required to cure both
before you are able to cure yourself.
If you decapitated all of the Glenmoril Witches and somehow lost their heads
then you are out of luck as they DO NOT respawn and aren't available anywhere
else. Hopefully you have a previous save.
** [ 6.0 ] BUILDING A BETTER BEAST *******************************************
-- [ 6.1 ] MAGICKA, STEALTH, and HEALTH --------------------------------------
At each level increase you will have the option to increase one of these
attributes by 10. Here is how I would recommend you distribute these bonuses.
- Magicka
Since spells cannot be used while in werewolf form and you can find and equip
Magicka- boosting equipment prior to transforming which allows you to cast
your protection spells, putting points here shouldn't be a priority. However,
If you are wanting to dual-cast dragonhide (which you should) without crafting
or scouring shops for Fortify Alteration equipment you will need to put points
here. See Ebonyflesh and Dragonhide section.
- Stamina
Werewolves regenerate Stamina at an accelerated rate and receive a bonus of
100 points to you max Stamina. You have no need to put points in Stamina. If
you find that you cannot make enough power attacks eat a Vegetable Soup prior
to transforming. You only need 1 point of stamina to power attack.
- Health
I recommend putting all of your points here. You can't go wrong with more
health. It allows Avoid Death to trigger earlier and in Beast Form heal you
earlier. At level 51 700 health in beast form. Avoid Death can kick in for
an extra 400 giving you almost 1100 health. If you abuse Necromage you can
push Avoid Death to almost 500 for 1200 health. At level 81 it would reach
almost 1500. As it stands currently, there is no cap in levels or health.
[ 6.1.1] Ebonyflesh or Dragonhide
NOTE: Werewolves after Dawnguard have natural armor as high as 400 which
makes dragonhide obsolete. You can reach the armor cap with ebonyflesh
which is easier to find, cheaper, and lasts longer.
A good question is: which Alteration flesh spell is better...ebonyflesh or
dragonhide? Just like most spells increase in potency and magicka cost as
you increase, they are all viable when they are obtainable but become
outclassed by the stronger versions. This rule applies to the flesh spells
as well...mostly.
Assuming 100 Alteration and all Alteration perks, a dual-casted Ebonyflesh
will provide you with 300 armor for 300 seconds for 236 magicka. That is
easily obtainable with guaranteed equipment finds like Archmage Robes,
Savos's Amulet, Atronach Stone (that is 250 magicka right there when you add
in the 100 base). But once you start hitting level 40 and up you definitely
benefit from something more potent. There is a cost, however. A big one.
Dragonhide with 100 Alteration and all the relevant perks costs 204 magicka
to cast and it provides the maximum armor rating for 45 seconds. It will
appear in your menu as armor rating of 1 even though it reduces damage by
80% (which is the most damage reduction that physical armor offers).
Werewolf forms last a minimum of 150 seconds. That means for 70% of the time
you are left vulnerable. In this case, ebonyflesh is probably better. The
great thing about dragonhide is that it is the only master spell that can be
dual-casted. This will provide you with 99 seconds of protection (or 66% of
the time). The biggest issue with this is the magicka cost. With Archmage
robes and the Vokun dragon priest mask (-15% cost and -20% respectively) it
will still cost 453 magicka to cast. Of course, enchanting gear to reduce
cost is the best option. There are fortify magicka potions and making fondue,
but this is for those of us who want to use the least amount of steps. If
we will be using this as the primary defense you don't want to have to use
a potion every single time you cast it.
NOTE: Dawnguard werewolves get damage reduction that scales with levels.
Combined with ebonyflesh you can almost reach the damage reduction equivalent
of Dragonhide at level 40 so it makes Dragonhide, and also the
need for magicka boosting equipment, less important.
Paying for DCDH can be done one of two ways: either with magicka increases
from leveling (in which case you sacrifice health) or you can craft/find a
ring and gauntlet with total cost reduction of 25%. That would reduce the
cost to 279 magicka.
Altmer get a step up here. Magicka base (100) + Altmer (50) + Atronach Stone
(50) + Savos Aren's Amulet (50) + Blessing of Julianos (25) + Archmage Robes
(50) = 325 magicka. You would have to sacrifice 130 HP, or 13 levels, to be
able to DCDH. With a ring/gauntlet you can cast it without sacrificing HP.
Non-Altmer will need to spend at least 1 level for magicka since you can only
reach 275. If you forego enchanting you will need to sacrifice 180HP. At
level 50 that would take you from a max of 600HP to 470 for Altmer or 420
for other races. A 22% loss for Altmer and 30% loss for other races.
Ebonyflesh is good, for a time, but if you are planning to DCDH then you
will want to either craft some Fortify Alteration equipment or suit up with
the Archmage robes, Vokun, Savos Aren's Amulet, and keep an eye out in the
shops for some Fortify Alteration rings and gauntlets (remember you need at
least 25% in combined cost reduction). Personally I recommend using Enchanting
since you will need to use other skills if you want to level higher than the
30s and you don't want to sacrifice health.
-- [ 6.2 ] RACES -------------------------------------------------------------
Building a decent werewolf build starts early. Your race can provide extra
protection, power, or damage based on your selection. Since racial powers
cannot be activated in werewolf form you need to activate them prior to or
after transforming. Some races provide nice skill bonuses. Skills are
further covered in a later section. Note that all races can reach 100% magicka
absorption or 87.5% magicka resistance by using Necromage (see Werewolf and
Vampirism section). The races with their pros and cons are:
- Altmer
Altmer's receive a permanent +50 to Magicka. This will allow you to equip
less magicka-boosting armor when casting your higher level Alteration
protection spells. See Ebonyflesh and Dragonhide. Magicka regen is not
needed in Beast Form. Alteration, Restoration, Conjuration, and potentially
Destruction and Enchanting get +5 initial bonus which is useful. High levels
of enchantment to make fortify alteration equipment diminishes the value of
Altmers.
- Argonian
Resist Disease is useless since you already have 100% immunity.
Waterbreathing isn't generally needed either. Histskin allows health to
recover 10 times faster for 60 seconds once per day. The werewolf health
regeneration is so slow that this doesn't make a dent in the middle of battle.
You receive +5 Alteration and +5 Restoration. Overall not a great race.
- Bosmer
Resist Poison 50% comes in handy against Falmer, which are one of the more
deadly enemies. If you take Snakeblooded from the Alchemy tree you will have
100% resistance to poison which only Redguards can match. Resist disease is
trumped by the 100% resistance of Lycanthropy. Command Animal allows for an
animal ally for 60 seconds once per day. This is really only useful to create
another target for enemies Bosmer doesn't really add any good skill bonuses
which is the worst part about this race.
- Breton
One of the better races for werewolves, Breton's have a natural 25% Magic
Resistance. Added to Lord Stone, the Blessing of Mara 15% and 2 Alteration
Perks granting a 20% boost you can get 85% Magic Resistance which is the cap.
Dragonskin allows you to absorb 50% of incoming Magic for 60 seconds once per
day. If you take the Atronach perk from the Alteration Tree this allows
Breton's to be nearly immune to magic. You get the Conjure Familiar spell for
free and get a +5 boost to Alteration and Restoration and +10 to Conjuration.
- Dunmer
Dunmer gives a 50% resistance to fire, an element most commonly used by
dragons. Ancestor's Wrath does 8 fire damage/second to enemies getting close
for 60 seconds. This allows for a maximum of 480 damage. Seeing as how you
don't want to get surrounded this is of limited use. If you are planning on
using a werewolf/vampire hybrid level 4 then being a Dunmer will offset the
vulnerability to fire. If you have Dawnguard it will completely negate it.
You receive a +5 to Alteration and a +10 to Destruction.
- Imperial
Voice of the Emperor allows you to calm (like the spell) nearby people for 60
seconds once per day. This is helpful when you are in battle and you revert
to human form. This can give you enough breathing room to escape or transform
again. You don't receive any good skill bonuses. Of course you could always
use Become Ethereal shouts for this and have better racial skills.
- Khajiit
Claw attacks don't increase damage in werewolf form which is disappointing.
Eye of Night gives improved night vision for 60 seconds...a power not useable
in Beast Form. Khajiit doesn't provide you with any good skill bonuses,
either.
- Nord
Nords give Resist Frost 50%. Frost is the most used element in the game.
Commonly Draugr employ this spell frequently. Since Draugr are one of the
more dangerous enemies this can come in handy. It also makes Frost Dragons
much less dangerous. Battlecry causes enemies under level 25 to flee for 30
seconds once per day. This can allow you breathing room to escape or
retransform if you revert in the middle of a battle but if you are under level
25 you should be using your fear howl anyway. You don't receive any noteworthy
skill bonuses.
- Orc
Berserker Rage gives you to take half damage and deal double damage for 60
seconds once per day. Yes, please. It is particularly useful for bosses and
dragons. No great skill bonuses are given to Orcs but Berserker Rage alone
makes this a worthy selection. With a maxed werewolf and the Dawnguard DLC
perks you have an attack doing 800+ damage. With the Dragonborn DLC you can
obtain a ring to do even more damage once/day at the expense of taking normal
damage from attacks instead of half.
- Redguard
50% Resist Poison is good for Falmer and other enemies. Like Bosmer you can
reach 100% resistance with Snakeblooded from the Alchemy tree. Adrenaline
Rush allows you to regenerate Stamina 10x faster for 60 seconds per day.
Eating a Vegetable Soup allows Stamina Regeneration of 1/second for 300
seconds. Since power attacks only need 1 Stamina to activate, eating a
Vegetable Soup prior to transformation allows for repeated power attacks which
makes Adrenaline Rush kind of moot. You do receive +5 to Alteration and
Destruction.
What do I recommend? Bosmer or Redguard for 100% poison immunity or Orc for
Berserker Rage.
-- [ 6.3 ] SKILLS AND PERKS --------------------------------------------------
Many skills are not useful or used when in Beast Form. Some skills allow you
to make your Beast Form stronger and add a needed amount of survivability.
This section details the Skills and their relevant perks and how beneficial
they are to werewolves. This will only pertain to use of skills immediately
before, during, or after transformation. Skills like Block, for example, may
be useful but do not enhance or benefit Beast Form any more than it does for a
normal character.
One thing about werewolf form is that you will find you need to use skills
outside of werewolf form if you want to reach higher levels. Usually non-
combat skills are good if you rely mostly on beast form for combat. I
typically don't like to take too much time with crafting skills so I only go
for Snakeblooded in Alchemy and maybe enchantment.
- Alteration
Alteration is hands-down the most valuable skill tree. Your only way of
increasing your armor in werewolf form is to cast the "flesh" spells prior to
transformation. You will want to take every perk in this tree. Novice,
Apprentice, Adept, Expert, and Master Alteration reduce the cost of your
spells so that you don't have to put points in magicka and you can put them in
health where they belong. Stability and Dual Casting allow your spells to
last longer. Mage Armor increases the protection of your defensive spells. A
dual casting of ebonyflesh with Stability lasts longer than the normal
duration of Beast Form. Magic Resistance and Atronach provide much-needed
magic protection. You'll want to purchase all of the flesh spells as they
become available and also complete the Master-level sidequest for Dragonhide.
Again, werewolves after Dawnguard can reach the armor cap with ebonyflesh.
Fortify Destruction potions increase the power of the Atronach perk. You can
reach 100% absorption by drinking a potion prior to taking the perk. The
increase is permanent as long as you have the perk. Beware that this can
cause issues with some quests.
- Alchemy
Potions that Fortify Alteration and those that that fortify elemental and
magic resistance can be helpful it taken prior to transformation. Health
Regeneration potions are only useful if using the Fortify Restoration glitch
to create unnaturally potent potions. Invisibility potions will wear off once
you use your Beast Form power. Potions affecting weapon damage (one handed,
two handed, marksman) have no effect on werewolf claws. Fortify Conjuration
can increase the duration of summons. Good to make healing potions if you
don't use Restoration (which you should). Snakeblooded gives 50% resistance
to poison which helps vs chaurus and falmer. This is useful for Bosmer and
Redguards for 100% poison resistance. Go up the right side of the tree
if you want more potent potions. You likely won't be using many poisons.
- Archery
Does not benefit Beast Form
- Block
Does not benefit Beast Form
- Conjuration
Conjured allies can help turn the tide of battle. Thralls will disappear,
however, when you transform into Beast Form so not much use here. If you buy
Twin Souls it can be a bit fun to summon two wolf familiars and use totem of
brotherhood for a total of four spirit wolves. Summons and raised enemies
aren't affected by howls but will become hostile if you attack them. Be
careful swinging your claws into the fray because you may have some elementals
or raised NPC's targeting you when the enemies fall.
- Destruction
Destruction spells, except cloaks, cannot be used in Beast Form. Cloak spells
can be used prior to transforming and give you a little extra damage. If you
take Aspect of Terror perk in the Illusion tree then Flame Cloak will do 18
damage per second. Augment perks don't work on cloaks but Deep Freeze, etc.
do. A frost cloak can slow and freeze enemies making multiple enemies more
easily managed. Disintegrate with the lightning cloak destroys enemies when
their health is reduces below 15% effectively reducing enemy HP by 15%.
Choose whichever you prefer. Whirlwind Cloak sends nearby enemies flying.
Dual casted cloaks have increased range so take advantage of that, too.
- Enchanting
Enchanting is for Dragonhide. You can cast all other flesh spells with items
that you find throughout Skyrim. Regretfully Dragonhide requires too much
magicka and can only be dual cast by spending a lot of levels in magicka or
forging Fortify Alteration equipment. Also useful if exploiting glitches that
allow you to equip weapons and armor. It is possible to equip armor and
weapons in beast form in which all enchantments on them act normally. If you
want to dual-cast Dragonhide you will need two Fortify Alteration items
with at minimum reduction of 13% per item. One ring and one glove. You can
find enough equipment to cover the rest of the cost (see Ebonyflesh and
Dragonhide). Players with the Dawnguard DLC can reach the damage resistance
cap with Ebonyflesh and 3/3 Mage Armor since werewolves have natural damage
resistance making Dragonhide an unneeded investment.
- Heavy Armor
Useless without glitches.
- Illusion
Quiet Casting allows you to transform and use howls without being detected.
This can be especially useful for Totem of the Hunt and searching out prey.
Most of the other perks don't work with werewolf howls so it is of limited
use to werewolf form. Aspect of Terror adds 10 damage to Flame Cloak
spells if you are fond of the them. Grab muffle from Dragonsreach and use
it repeatedly as you walk. You only need level 50 for Quiet Casting.
- Light Armor
Useless without glitches. In versions earlier than v 1.3.10 Agile Defender
and Light Armor skill contribute to armor rating.
- Lockpicking
Cannot be used in Beast Form
- One-handed
One-handed perks and skills don't work with werewolf claws under normal
circumstances (in versions prior to v1.3.10 or earlier one-handed skill-level
contribute to damage).
- Pickpocket
Cannot be used in Beast Form. Can be useful to power-level Restoration and
Alteration with the mages at the college if you want to train and repeatedly
steal your gold back.
- Restoration
Restoration is one of the more beneficial schools. Not only does it allow you
to heal once you revert, but it also allows for Avoid Death which allows you
to heal 250 damage once per day if your health falls below 10% (if the damage
doesn't kill you). It is especially useful for boss fights and is affected by
the Regeneration Perk which increase the healing by 50% to a total of 375
points. The quest reward Sailor's Repose (see other powers section) allows for
an additional +10% for a total of 400 points. Another perk, Recovery, can be
helpful to counteract loss of Magicka regeneration if using the Atronach
stone. Stendarr's Aura (Dawnguard) also provides a cloak vs undead.
- Smithing
Only useful if glitching in weapons and armor. The Alteration spell Transmute
can allow you to turn iron ore into gold ore for making jewelry. This will
increase both Smithing and Alteration.
- Sneak
Initially I thought that the sneak tree was useless since you cannot enter
into sneak mode as a werewolf. I was wrong. Light Foot is an immensely
beneficial perk to have when running through dungeons. It will prevent you
from triggering traps while tracking down your prey. Muffle and Silence will
allow you to walk, and even run, up to enemies without being detected. It
also allows you to walk through most Draugr crypts without awakening the
enemies. Since your leap attack does so much damage you can usually pick of
enemies silently one by one. The right side of the tree can get you easy
sneak multipliers for additional damage. Shadow Warrior can be absorbed by
spell absorption so if you are wanting to take the Atronach Stone and Perk
then stay away from the final Sneak perk. This is one of the hardest to level
since most of your combat is in werewolf form. Grab the DB gloves & sneak
attack sleeping Draugr.
- Speech
You won't be spending much on weapons or armor so Speech is of limited use.
Good for roleplaying if you want to increase Intimidation, etc. Otherwise it
is a waste of perks (as it is for most builds). You can use this to bribe
guards and avoid bounties. There are many ways to increase your speech for
free.
- Two-Handed
You cannot use weapons and beast form. You cannot even glitch in a two-handed
weapon. Not useful at all.
-- [ 6.4 ] STANDING STONES ---------------------------------------------------
Standing Stones are located in various locations spread throughout Skyrim.
Only one stone can be active at a time but you can freely switch between them.
You must only visit a new Standing Stone and activate it to gain the new
ability. It will overwrite the previous Standing Stone's power. The most
recommended stones are Lord or Atronach for protection against magic.
- The Apprentice Stone
Regenerate Magicka +100%; Weakness to Magic +100%
You don't need to regenerate Magicka in Beast Form and increases a weakness to
magic. Kind of one-sided and not a good choice at all.
- The Atronach Stone
Regenerate Magicka -50%; Magicka +50; Spell Absorb 50%.
Regenerate Magicka loss can be countered with perks from the Restoration tree.
50+ to magicka allows you to cast your "flesh" spells with fewer magicka-
boosting pieces of equipment. Spell Absorbtion 50% allows for better magic
defense. An exploit exists where you can reach even 100% absorption. If you
consume a Fortify Destruction potion prior to activating the stone your value
will be increased by the potion and remain increased until you change stones.
You would need a +200% potion if you only use the stone. You would only need
a +126% potion if you do this with both the perk and the stone.
- The Lady Stone
Regenerate Stamina and Health 25% faster.
You already regenerate stamina quickly and the boost to health regeneration
does nothing since your health regeneration is slowed so dramatically.
- The Lord Stone
+50 Armor; Resist Magic 25%
Especially good for Breton werewolves but helpful for just about any race the
Lord Stone provides two useful bonuses to make up for some of the werewolf
form's shortcomings.
- The Lover Stone
Learn all skills 15% faster
Other stones are more useful. You will usually want to go with a Mage Stone to
increase your magic skills.
- The Mage Stone
Learn magic skills 20% faster
Most of your skills fall under this category. The sooner you level up
Restoration and Alteration the better. Especially since you can't use Lover's
Comfort or Well-Rested bonuses.
- The Ritual Stone
Raise all dead to fight for you once a day for 200 seconds.
Raised enemies aren't affect by howls and remain when transformed unlike Dead
Thralls. The bodies don't turn to ash when the effect expires so you can
reanimate them again if you wait 24 hours. This can be useful to bring allies
to a big battle or to make minions rise up against a boss after you have slain
them. However typically you will want to go for the boss first and then mop
up the minions later, meaning there won't be many to raise.
- The Serpent Stone
Paralyze target for 5s and Damage Health of target 25pts once per day.
If you are using this you probably want it to count and use it on a powerful
enemy. Typically powerful bosses are usually surrounded by minions. If
you use this on a boss and then transform the minions will put a huge dent in
to your life total.
- The Shadow Stone
Become invisible for 60 seconds once a day
A good escape mechanism when your werewolf transformation ends. You will
usually want to have Lord, Atronach, or Mage, though for more constant
bonuses. Invisibility, like the spell, ends when you transform. If you
are leveling illusion then you probably can just cast Invisibility.
- The Steed Stone
Wearing armor does not affect speed. Carry weight +100; Equipped armor is
weightless. Werewolves don't wear armor and have unlimited carry weight.
- The Thief Stone
Learn stealth skills 20% faster.
This can really help with leveling sneak and alchemy. You will usually either
want to have this or the mage stone active at early levels.
- The Tower Stone
Unlock any Expert or lower level lock instead of picking it once a day.
Cannot use lockpicking in Beast Form. Just keep a decent number of lockpicks
for when you really need them. I've never used this stone or put any perks in
lockpicking.
- The Warrior Stone
Learn combat skills 20% faster.
If you are wanting to level Smithing to abuse the equip-weapon glitch then you
may want to use this now and again. Since werewolf claws max at 70 damage and
you can do a leap attack for 210 damage you will need a weapon to exceed that
to be useful.
-- [ 6.5 ] EQUIPMENT ---------------------------------------------------------
[ 6.5.1 ] ARMOR
Most equipment is ineffective as a werewolf. Equipment can be useful,
however, outside of Beast Form. If you place all of your level bonuses into
health you will stay at 100 magicka. This isn't enough to cast even mid level
Alteration spells and surely not enough for Ebonyflesh and Dragonhide. The
good news is that you can easily find equipment for free to allow you to cast
anything you need. It is handy to put your boosting equipment into favorites
to easily re-equip after reverting to human form.
If you are not into smithing and enchanting then there are some important
pieces of equipment that you will want to obtain.
If you do the College of Winterhold quests you can immediately obtain a Novice
Hood (+30 magicka) if you didn't grab it in Helgen. You will obtain a Galdur
Amulet Fragment (+30 magicka) when you visit Saarthal. Proceeding through the
quests allows you to obtain the Mage's Circlet (leveled +20-70 Magicka), Savos
Aren's Amulet (+50), and Archmage Robes (-15% cost to all schools, +50 magicka).
Another important piece of equipment to obtain is the Vokun dragon priest
mask. Head to Solitude and east to High Gate Ruins. The mask provides 20%
reduction to Conjuration, Illusion, and Alteration and is usable with the
Archmage robes. Remember you can't have this equipped if using Mage Armor and
flesh spells in human form since it has an armor rating. This boosts three
schools that are useful for werewolves.
The Atronach stone also provides +50 magicka, as does the Altmer racial bonus.
[ 6.5.2 ] WEAPONS
Weapons glitched into your hand can provide extra damage provided it is a
strong enough weapon to exceed the normal werewolf damage cap. However, this
will negate the additional damage from werewolf special attacks like the leap
attack. It will do damage but will not receive the special multiplier. If
your weapon is weaker than the normal werewolf attack then you will use the
weaker value for damage. If you have a weapon with an enchantment it can
provide a good boost to damage. Absorb Health will allow you to survive a bit
longer and do some extra damage. Weapons with elemental properties can boost
damage and slow enemies. If you dual enchant weapons you can do significant
damage but you will need to recharge quite a bit. Turn Undead can be useful
against Draugr.
-- [ 6.6 ] SHOUTS ------------------------------------------------------------
Shouts are obtained by finding word walls spread throughout Skyrim. Each
shout consists of three words and each word is found at a different word
wall. Typically the more words used in the shout the more powerful the
effect and the longer the cooldown. Shouts use the same meter as howls for
cooldown so shouts with particularly long cooldown periods like Call Storm
will prevent you from using howls in werewolf form. Shouts can provide
extra damage or allow you to flee a dangerous situation. Shouts added by DLC
is detailed in those sections.
- Animal Allegiance
It is always beneficial to have another ally in your corner, unfortunately
this doesn't provide many available targets where you need them most...in
dungeons. It is notable that transforming will not make animals affected by
this shout hostile. More words only affects the range. You can befriend even
mammoths with just one word.
- Aura Whisper
One of the better shouts for a werewolf, this can allow you to see enemies in
dungeons so that you can prepare before engaging. Unlike other methods this
doesn't use magicka which is better used for defensive spells. This is not
silent so it can alert enemies to your presence.
- Become Ethereal*****
If you try to enter Beast Form while ethereal it will end the ethereal effect
and you will not transform. In the case of Beast Form you will deplete your
use for the day. With Ring of Hircine it will not allow you to use it
repeatedly as normal until you wait 24 hours. This can be useful once your
transformation ends as a means of escape. By meditating on this shout with
Parthunax you can increase your health regen while ethereal by 25%. Lasts 18
seconds with all three words. Also good to recast flesh spells including
Dragonhide, then re-shifting and resume attacking.
- Call Dragon
Yet another outdoor ally ability, Call Dragon allows you to summon Odahviing
and he will remain until all enemies are killed. This has a long recharge time
so it can prevent you from using your werewolf-specific howls.
- Call of Valor
Summons one of three heroes to aid you in battle for 60 seconds. Again,
always handy to have additional targets to draw enemy attention. This will
replace a conjured creature. Can be absorbed by Atronach stone and perk.
- Clear Skies
Clears up outside weather. Of no notable use for werewolves.
- Disarm
Disarm will affect any enemy up to level 30. It is easier to just use Totem of
Fear up until level 25 and knockdown power attacks after that. You don't want
to run into a group of enemies and disarm one before transforming and there
isn't much benefit to using this between transformations in battle.
- Dismay
Fear effect effective up to level 24. Just use your howl.
- Dragonrend*****
Grounds a flying dragon and temporarily paralyzes it putting it in range of
your claw attacks. The worst part about dragons is waiting for them to land
while your transformation time depletes. Once they hit the ground you can
usually deal a large enough amount of damage to them to keep them there. Your
power attacks will stun-lock them At three words it lasts 22 seconds.
- Elemental Fury
Doesn't work in werewolf form, sadly.
- Fire Breath, Frost Breath, Ice Form
Cannot be used in Beast Form
- Kyne's Peace
This will calm all wild animals up to level 20 within range for 180 seconds at
three words. This doesn't work on Frost Trolls. Good if you stumble across a
powerful enemy unprepared or need to calm an animal when a transformation
ends. Personally, just stick with animal allegiance.
- Marked for Death
This shout reduces armor and depletes health for 60 seconds. 1 word reduces
armor by 25 and does 1hp/second damage. -50 armor and 2hp/sec for 2 words. -75
armor and -3hp/sec for 3 words. This stacks causing multiple stat loss,
however the duration is short seeing as how transforming into Beast Form takes
almost 10 seconds. This stacks on respawning enemies even when killed. Using
this on the same giant, for example, over and over will allow you to 1-shot it.
- Slow Time
Causes slow time. 30% normal speed for 8 seconds, 20% for 12 seconds, and 10%
for 16 seconds for one/two/three words respectively. Slow time is not useful
going into battle even at three words. You only have a few seconds of attack
time if you shout and then transform. Become Ethereal is better for fleeing.
- Storm Call
Usable outside. 10 minute recharge time with 3 words. Probably the most
powerful shout doing 80 lightning damage every 3-6 seconds to any target
within 150 at three words it can help put a dent in the health of higher level
dragons. It won't allow you to use werewolf howls, however, since the
cooldown is so long. Using Blessing of Talos and equipping an Amulet of Talos
can reduce the cooldown since it is calculated upon casting the shout. Likely
it will still be cooling down once you revert though, even with the reduction.
- Throw Voice
Allows you to see prepare for enemies before you encounter them allowing you
to dive in attacking and not be caught in human form. The recharge time
actually decreases with more words so it is most useful with three. Very
beneficial.
- Unrelenting Force
Nice when stumbling upon an enemy 1-on-1 or when you need to knockdown a
difficult enemy when not in Beast Form, giving you time to transform and
attack. Best if used with all three words.
- Whirlwind Sprint
Not useful in werewolf form
-- [ 6.7 ] OTHER POWERS ------------------------------------------------------
Outlined here are other effects and powers gained through quests.
[ 6.7.1 ] QUEST REWARDS
The following powers are granted by completing their relative quests. These
provide permanent and continuous bonuses and have no level prerequisites.
You can have all of them active at the same time. Some are more beneficial
than others.
- Agent of Dibella
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:The_Heart_of_Dibella
+10% melee damage vs. opposite sex
Females benefit most from this since most of the enemies in the game are male.
However, boosted damage for free vs anything is good.
- Agent of Mara
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:The_Book_of_Love
+15% Magic Resistance
Definitely something you want to obtain. If you are a Breton than you can
reach the resistance cap but even if you are not...every little bit helps vs
mages. Free magic resistance = good.
- Ancient Knowledge
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Unfathomable_Depths
Smithing +15% and +25% armor bonus while dwarven wearing armor
Really only beneficial if you plan to use Smithing and glitch weapons and
armor.
- Dragonslayer's Blessing
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Esbern
+10% critical hit vs. dragons for 5 days
More damage vs. dragons? Yes, please.
- Prowler's Profit
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:No_Stone_Unturned
Increase gems found
Allows you to smith better jewelry and find get more money. Money is easy to
come buy but you cannot loot corpses or chests so it doesn't get the fullest
effect.
- Sailor's Repose
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Frostflow_Abyss_(quest)
Healing spells and abilities are +10% more effective.
Great free boost to healing spells, particularly Avoid Death. Allows Avoid
Death to reach 400 healing with the Regeneration Perk.
- Sinderion's Serendipity
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:A_Return_To_Your_Roots
25% chance to duplicate a potion when crafting.
More potions sell for more money and makes Alchemy slightly less annoying.
But only slightly. If you use potions often than this might be a good idea.
[ 6.7.2 ] MEDITATIONS ON THE WORDS OF POWER
Meditations are available during the main quest when visiting the Throat of
the World. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Paarthurnax_(dragon)
- Ethereal Spirt
+25% health regeneration when ethereal
This can benefit a werewolf who reverts in the middle of battle, however you
will have to end the ethereal effect before attempting to transform or the two
powers will cancel each other out.
- Force without Effort
Stagger 25% less and stagger foes 25% more
This applies to any effect causing the enemy to stagger including regular
power attacks, etc.
- Fire Within
Fire Breath shout damage increased 25%
Fire Breath isn't used in Beast Form so this is useless.
[ 6.7.3 ] GUILD ABILITIES
Guild Abilities are gained through completing quests in through either
the Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, or College of Winterhold.
- Nightingale Strife
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Darkness_Returns
Absorb 100 health from target once per day
Not really good mid-battle and you don't want to start a battle with this
before transforming.
- Nightingale Subterfuge
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Darkness_Returns
Causes frenzy for 30 seconds in AOE once per day
Possible good escape mechanism. Has no level limit (?).
- Shadowcloak of Nocturnal
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Darkness_Returns
Makes the user invisible while sneaking for 120 seconds once per day
Good for an escape plan but dissipates when entering Beast Form.
- Summon Arniel's Shade
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Arniel%27s_Endeavor
Again, always useful to have another summon.
- Summon Spectral Assassin
Another summoning spell. Your spectral assassin disappears when you enter
Beast Form as if he was defeated. He can be re-summoned after 24 hours.
[ 6.7.4 ] MISC POWERS
The following abilities aren't gained through quests and none of them
provide much of a benefit to Lycnthropes but they are listed here for
completion.
- Gift of Charity
+10 Speech
Werewolves don't use speech unless you are trying to talk your way out
of a bounty.
- Voice of the Sky
Animals will not attack or flee for 24 real time hours
This is beneficial so as not to run into random wild animals unprepared. Also
if you are hunting for leathers to smith it can make catching animals easier.
- Nightingale Armor/ Shrouded Armor
+25 armor when equipping full sets
You can't get the bonus since you won't be wearing armor
[ 6.8 ] BLESSINGS
Blessings are obtained by praying at the corresponding altar. They provide
small bonuses for 24 hours. While they will not make a critical difference
in your werewolf build, they can be a small boon.
- Blessing of Arkay
Health +25
This is less useful than you might think. At higher levels +25 damage is a
dent in your 500+ HP pool. At early levels your Totem of Fear howl, damaging
claws, and decent Alteration spells make this unnecessary since you will plow
through most enemies early on.
- Blessing of Dibella
+10 Speech
Werewolves don't use speech unless you are trying to talk your way out
of a bounty.
- Blessing of Julianos
+25 Magicka
Allows you to cast more powerful spells and more frequent spells at early
levels and enables you to use less magicka-boosting equipment at higher
levels. One of the better blessings along with Blessing of Talos.
- Blessing of Kynareth
+25 Stamina
Stamina already regenerates quickly. Not much use.
- Blessing of Mara
Healing +10%
Would be a nice boost. Too bad it is only usable when you have the Ring of
Matrimony equipped...which you won't when you are a hulking werewolf.
- Blessing of Nocturnal
+10 Sneak for 8 hours
Good for a slight boost when increasing your sneak skill. By the time you
can obtain this you likely are far along on the sneak tree.
- Blessing of Stendarr
Block +10%
Werewolves don't block
- Blessing of Talos
Shout cooldown reduced by 20%
This will allow you to use your shouts and howls more frequently. Totem of
the Hunt and Totem of Fear have such a short cooldown that it doesn't really
affect them. It is beneficial for Totem of Brotherhood and using other good
Dragon Shouts.
- Zenithar
10% Better prices
Werewolves don't shop
** [ 6.9 ] FOLLOWERS ********************************************************
Many followers will attack you while you are in Beast Form or if seeing your
transform. This includes all NPCs (including spouses) with the following
exceptions:
- Companions
Aela the Huntress, Athis, Farkas, Njada Stonearm, Ria, Torvar, Vilkas
Aela, Vilkas, and Farkas are the only Companions to reach max level of 50.
The others max out at level 25. Companions won't commit any crime for you,
but also won't report you unless the crime is against them. They can be
recruited to the Blades. They all can be married.
- Dark Brotherhood
Cicero, Dark Brotherhood Initiates
There are a number of resources detailing how great the DB Initiates are.
Their level scales higher than almost any other follower besides J'zargo, they
can dual wield Forsworn Swords for crazy DPS. Great followers to have around.
Cicero will level to max 50. They have no morality and will do anything or
kill whomever you wish. The cannot be recruited to the Blades. No marriage
here. Dark Brotherhood Initiates cannot be killed or sacrificed to Boethia.
- Housecarls
Argis the Bulward, Calder, Iona, Jordis the Sword-Maiden, Lydia
Housecarls scale up to level 50 and will pretty much follow you and let you do
whatever you want. They all can be recruited into the Blades and married. Good
to have around.
- Dogs
Meeko, Vigilance, Stray Dog
Dogs tend to have lower health and their habit of running straight into the
battle, and consequently right into the path of your swinging claws, causes
them to be not good choices as follower.
- Quest Followers
Barbas
Barbas is a good follower to have since he cannot die and will not leave you
when using your howls, however he will always attack wolves summoned with
Totem of Brotherhood and is strong enough to dispatch them in one hit each.
Plus many players don't like him because he maintains such a close proximity
to the player often moving them involuntarily or knocking them off of ledges.
** [ 7.0 ] GLITCHES *********************************************************
Transforming into a werewolf can cause many different glitches. Some off these
are controllable and, therefore, exploitable. Others are random or have yet
to have their methods identified. Reports of werewolves having spikes from
equipped Daedric armor, holding swords, and other glitches are abundant.
Just search "Skyrim Werewolf Glitch" on youtube and you will get many results.
Below are the few glitches that I have been able to consistently reproduce.
[ 7.1 ] FOLLOWER EQUIP GLITCH
Pros: Using this glitch you can equip yourself in werewolf form as you would a
human and gain all the normal benefits of equipment including armor, melee
weapon damage rating, enchantments, etc. Can equip unlimited pieces of armor.
Can paralyze foes, absorb health, etc. in werewolf form with the weapon. Can
use unique and two handed weapons. Can equip Ebony Mail and become a black
smoking werewolf! Allows you to become a vamp/werewolf hybrid in Dawnguard.
Cons: If your weapon damage does not exceed that of your werewolf form you
will do less damage as you normally would. You lose the 3x damage multiplier
to your leap attack (it does normal damage). It can be difficult to execute.
It requires a follower. Has to be repeated after each transformation.
Requires perks, smithing, and possibly enchanting investment to become useful.
How: Have a follower that will allow you to exchange equipment and initiate a
conversation with them with the A button. When pressing the A button you need
to simultaneously press RB to transform. If performed correctly you will be
able to access the equipment trading menu. This can be tricky timing and
frustrating if you don't succeed because you either have to use the wait
function, reload, or wait until Beast Form wears off to try again. Whenever
you revert to human form you will still have all of your equipment on but if
you transform again you will be unequipped as normal. You can equip unlimited
pieces of armor and gain the armor rating and benefits of each piece through
this exploit. You can only equip a weapon to your right hand but you can
equip two handed weapons, but not bows. If wishing to use this frequently,
make sure that you have a follower that will not become aggressive when you
transform (obviously), and you need to be careful not to use werewolf howls as
this can cause your follower to become hostile or leave your service.
[ 7.2 ] RIGHT HAND EQUIP
I have tested this glitch 100s of times and have made it work reliably with
daggers. Swords can be used by reversing the L/R instructions, but I have had
more difficulty in getting this to work. I have been unable to get it to work
with other weapons.
Pros: Using this glitch you can permanently equip a dagger to your right hand.
As long as you do not unequip the glitched weapon or equip a two-handed weapon
you can do all other actions normally including using Beast Form, dual casting
magic, etc. This will also increase your right-handed unarmed attack damage
as a human. Easier to execute. Doesn't require a follower. Daggers cannot be
seen equipped when in Beast Form. Won't have to be repeated when successful.
Cons: Cannot use unique weapons. Requires perk investment to smith/enchant a
weapon strong enough to exceed the normal werewolf attack damage. Have only
been able to use reliably with daggers and swords. Requires a bit more setup.
Note: using swords will cause a sheath to appear at your side in Beast Form.
How: First you need to obtain two daggers of the same material with the same
name (or two swords of the same material with the same name). Enchantments
and tempering don't matter, however the weapons must appear as two separate
items in your inventory. One weapon should have a triangle ^ after it.
Examples:
Yes - Iron Dagger + Iron Dagger^
Yes - Iron Dagger + Iron Dagger (Exquisite)^
Yes - Iron Dagger + Iron Dagger [Enchanted with X]^
No - Iron Dagger (2)
No - IRON DAGGER + Iron Dagger^
No - Iron Dagger + Iron Dagger of Burning
No - Iron Dagger + Dwarven Dagger^
The easiest way to do this is to craft them yourself. You will need to have a
high smithing anyway to make this worthwhile. For ease of explanation I will
assume that you have no other weapons in your inventory.
1. Equip Beast Form or the Ring of Hircine Power to your RB. Entering into
the main menu (Magic, Skills, Map) during this process will affect the glitch.
2. Go to your weapons menu. You should see one weapon with a triangle (^) and
one without. Using the RT and LT buttons equip one weapon and then the other.
Toggle between the weapons menu and the main menu until you see the (^) weapon
on your right hand. Press A to exit. Do not go back to the main menu. Note:
this is why equipping Beast Form after setting the glitch will disturb the
process as the main menu juggles weapons from hand to hand.
3. Use RB to transform. If done correctly your attacks should now possess the
properties and damage of the glitched weapon. Another way to know that the
glitch has worked is that if you equip an enchanted dagger to your right hand
and have an unenchanted weapon in your left...when you press A to exit you
will see the enchantment charge bar on the right of the screen. If it is on
the left then the glitch will not work. If done correctly you will also see
a dagger sheathed at your side regardless of weapons or magic currently
equipped.
4. If you revert and enter your weapon menu and your right hand is equipped
then you were successful. You can recharge the weapon, temper it, etc. Just
don't unequip it unless you want to do the process again. If your left hand
is equipped then just unequip your weapons and try the process again. On rare
occasions I have had to do the process again, but switch hands. Your right
handed unarmed attack as a human will use the dagger sound effects but the
unarmed animations and finishers. In this way you can make your unarmed
damage equal to that of any dagger you can smith/enchant.
[ 7.3 ] Bow Equip Glitch
PROS: Ability to equip a one handed sword while in Beast Form. No need to use
a follower. Can use unique and enchanted weapons.
CONS: Has to be repeated after each transformation. Werewolf looks a bit odd
holding a sword. Only works with one-handed swords. Like the others, requires
time and perk investments to make beneficial.
HOW: Ensure that your transformational ability is equipped to your favorites
menu. Using your weapons menu, equip a one-handed sword to your right hand
and have nothing in your left hand. Next, equip a bow and exit the menu using
the A button. Transform by using the power in your favorites menu. Continue
to press the RT as you do so. When you transform you should have the weapon
in your hand and it acts in all ways like a normal sword. The weapons will be
unequipped when you revert to a human.
[ 7.4 ] Man-Beast Glitch
PROS: Ability to use and equip all weapons, armor, and abilities like a normal
human, just look like a weird wolfman.
CONS: Cannot use Beast Form (will return you to normal). Look like a weird
wolfman.
HOW: Talk to a guard while simultaneously pressing RB to transform. You will
incur a 1000 bounty. Allow yourself to be taken to jail. Rest in the bed and
when you awake, if done properly, will appear as a half-man/half-wolf.
Transform again if you want to return to normal. It is really hard to detail
the visual effects of the glitch. You have the look of a normal human except
it looks like you are wearing a wolf head hood and have claw gloves. It
looks poor and doesn't really add any benefits.
** [ 8.0 ] TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES ****************************************
Leap Attack, back up a few steps, Leap Attack, repeat. This is the best
strategy for dealing with bosses and other dangerous enemies. Using Howl of
Terror or the Totem of Brotherhood to disperse or distract lower level enemies
while you focus on the main threat is advisable.
[ 8.1 ] Wild Beasts
This includes spiders, wolves, bears, horses, hoarkers, deer, mammoths, etc.
Only mammoths are of a high enough level to not be affected by Howl of Terror.
It is easy to chase enemies down and finish them with a leap attack or
clawing. Totem of Fear works on most animals.
[ 8.2 ] Monsters
This includes trolls, spriggans, giants, whispmothers, falmer and chaurus.
Giants (32), Whispmothers (28), falmer nightprowler (30), and Falmer
Shadowmaster (38) are not vulnerable to Howl of Terror. Falmer are typically
encountered in groups and use poison which make them particularly dangerous.
Always target the strongest enemies first with leap attack. Use power attacks
to knockdown other enemies and finish them once the main threat is gone.
Falmer typically like to use lightning magic so plan accordingly. Poison can
really ruin your day as well.
Giants are only encountered outdoors so you should be able to fell them even
at lower levels due to your leap attack and greater speed. If you really have
problems with them you can use Animal Allegiance or other abilities on nearby
mammoths.
Spriggans have the annoying ability to heal themselves. Just use the leap
attack and keep moving to avoid the wind animals that they spriggan likely
manipulated into attacking you. Most of which are vulnerable to Howl of
Terror anyway.
[ 8.3 ] Dragons
Dragons become much easier once you obtain Dragonrend. Too bad that isn't
until later in the main quest. The worst part about dragons is that they
don't want to land where you can really rip in to them and when they do, you
are almost out of transformation time. Once they hit the ground you can
stun-lock them with power attacks to kill them. With magic resistance and
Atronach spell absorbtion can prevent a lot of damage from their breath
attacks but you will want to stay out of their way until they land. Dragon's
are typically pushovers until Elder or Ancients hit the scene. Call Storm and
other outdoor shouts can add to the damage.
[ 8.4 ] Dwarven Automatons
Dwarven Spider, Spheres, and Centurions (and their variations) are immune to
fear so Howl of Terror won't do you much good. They are all vulnerable to
knockdown, however and they don't often appear in mass groups like the Falmer.
If you take it slow through dwarven ruins you can typically destroy
these enemies one at a time as you go. Dwarven Centurion Masters, the most
difficult of the automatons have 1000 health. Leap attacks max at 210 so it
will take a few swings to bring these big fellas down.
[ 8.5 ] Draugr
Ah, yes. The most abundant enemy in Skyrim apart from humanoids the Draugr
are immune to your fear affects and you can't feed on them, either. What is
a werewolf to do? Hit and run. Since Draugr are only encountered in crypts
and underground dungeons it is easy to do a great deal of damage and use the
werewolf's supreme speed to flee if health gets too low. Typically running
in and using a power or leap attack on Draugr Deathlords and Dragon Priests
is the way to go. Draugr use frost magic which makes Nords and Bretons have
an advantage. With good magic resistance and magic absorption you can take on
Draugr Scourges and Restless Draugrs all day long. Once the more dangerous
Draugr are dealt with work your way down the food chain. Scourges can summon
Atronachs which will disperse once you kill the Scourge. Single Dragon
Priests using magic fall quickly to a resistant werewolf using repeat leaps
and knockdown.
[ 8.6 ] Humans
Humans make for easy targets. Feeding which allows longer transformations
and healing make locations with humans much easier. They are also vulnerable
to Howl of Terror up to the level limit. Unfortunately human enemies' levels
scale quite high and they normally appear in groups making them dangerous.
Forsworn scale up to level 34 and Briarhearts up to 58. Bandits level up to
25. The same strategy applies as does with Draugr indoors. Take out the
most dangerous enemy first. Outdoors you need to be wary since a horde of
Forsworn or Bandits with bows can do considerable damage while you are
pounding on their leader. It is best to use a hit and run tactic here.
Being outdoors surrounded by humans with good bows in an open area is
certainly fatal. Since they like to populate ruins, knocking them off cliffs
and bridges with power attacks is a good way to clear an area fast.
[ 8.7 ] Glitched Weapons and Equipment
If you don't mind using exploits and glitches (I know, I know. It is a
single player game, do what you want, etc.) then obviously having armor and
enchanted weapons as a werewolf makes you more powerful. I have found all
weapon enchantments to work using methods explained in the glitches section.
The most effective enchantments for weapons are Fire/Frost/Shock Damage,
Paralyze, and Absorb Health. Fear, Turn Undead, etc. are only useful at low
levels when you shouldn't need them. Soul Trap doesn't benefit your damage
output or stun enemies like the aforementioned enchantments. A daedric
dagger with Frost +25 and Absorb Health +20 can really tear apart enemies.
In this case you would only need a weapon with 25 damage to equal that of a
normal werewolf attack. You would lose the 3x damage leap, though. Even
paralyzing enemies for 1 second can give you a lot of control over the battle
since it takes them a few seconds to come to their feet. You get many more
charges this way and can benefit from a high Alteration skill. Stability also
affects the duration of Paralyze effects.
As for armor enchantments: Fortify Health and Resist Fire/Frost/Shock/Magic
are beneficial. If you are using a weapon with an enchantment as well then
Fortify for the corresponding school can give you more charges. Wear fortify
destruction 100 gear and use an absorb health weapon and drain health from
enemies repeatedly.
** [ 9.0 ] WEREWOLVES AND VAMPIRISM *****************************************
*Thanks to laml3rian and metatrongrhm1 from the Gamefaqs 360 board for your
research into vampires and Necromage and help with details for this section.
*Thanks to jammymacster for discovering Necromage enhanced perks are still
enhanced after curing vampirism.
*Thanks to Cast_Supremacy for a great deal of help with testing, specifically
with the Ring of Hircine glitch.
Typically Sanguinare Vampiris and Lycanthropy typically cannot be contracted
together on account of the Lycanthropy's 100% disease resistance but there
are ways to become both a Vampire and a Werewolf together.
An easy location from which you can contract vampirism is Movarth's lair
north of Morthal. Kill the two spiders in the cave and the two vampire
thralls. You can lure the Master Vampire back through the corridor to the
room with the pit. I've experienced where the vampires won't follow you in to
the room so you can control them attacking you with vampire drain to give you
the disease.
Here are the three currently known methods to becoming a hybrid:
[ 9.1 ] Timing at the Underforge - Stage 4
Pros:
-Beast Form 1/day or unlimited with Ring of Hircine
-Vampiric Drain ability for 5 health/second
-Vampire Servant reanimates a very powerful undead for 60 seconds 1/day.
-Vampire Seduction calms creatures up to level 10 for 30 seconds 1/day
-Vampire Sight gives improved nightvision for 60 sec 1/day*
-Embrace of Shadow makes you invisible 1/day for 180 seconds
-100% Resistance to frost (50% with Dawnguard, 100% if a Nord)
-Champion of the Night for vampire's +25% to Illusion spells.
-Nightstalker's Footsteps for the vampire's +25% bonus to sneaking
-100% resistance to poison*
*(if obtained, removed after 1st werewolf transformation)
Cons:
-You cannot feed as a vampire and you will progress to Stage 4 Vampirism
-Weakness to fire 100% (50% with Dawnguard, 0% if a Dunmer)
-In sunlight Health, Magicka, and Stamina -60 and doesn't regenerate
-Most NPCs will be aggressive making Calm spells required to get quests
Not applicable with Dawnguard DLC. NPCs no longer hostile.
-Does not benefit from the Necromage perk
How:
The first method is to complete the Companion's quest line up to the point
that you will partake in the ritual to become a werewolf. If you contract
Sanguinare Vampiris and then complete the ritual before turning into a vamp
you can be both. You must drink the blood as you turn into a werewolf. The
best way to do this is to keep track of the time of day and continue to save
so that you know the precise minute that you will turn and see the message
"Your blood begins to boil". Just before you will see this message, drink
the blood to become a werewolf. Return to the Underforge and wait one hour
to revert and see if it worked.
[ 9.2 ] Timing at the Underforge - Stage 2
Pros:
-Beast Form 1/day or unlimited with Ring of Hircine
-Vampiric Drain ability for 3 health/second
-Vampiric Seduction calms creatures up to level 8 for 30 seconds 1/day
-Vampire Servent reanimates a more powerful undead for 60 seconds 1/day.
-You will not progress further in vampirism
-50% Resistance to frost (25% with Dawnguard)
Cons:
-Weakness to fire 50% (25% with Dawnguard, 0% with Dunmer)
-In sunlight Health, Magicka, and Stamina -30 and doesn't regenerate
-NO Nightstalker's Footsteps for the vampire's +25% bonus to sneaking
-NO Champion of the Night for vampire's +25% to Illusion spells.
-NO 100% resistance to poison
-Does not benefit from the Necromage perk
How:
Similar to the first method except you are already a vampire and you wait
to drink the werewolf blood right before you move to stage two vampirism.
Stage three provides less abilities and more fire weaknesses than level
two so it is not recommended to use stage 3 vampirism.
[ 9.3 ] When Curing Lycanthropy
**PATCHED IN 1.6**
Pros:
-All the benefits of normal Vampirism
-Ring of Hircine 1/day to transform into werewolf
Cons:
-Can only become a werewolf 1/day
-Totem of Hircine quests will be unobtainable once you cure Lycanthropy
-Cannot be used post 1.6 even if you had the ability prior to patching.
How:
If you obtain the Ring of Hircine from Ill Met by Moonlight you can equip the
ring and the Ring of Hircine power. Complete the Companion's quest line and
cure yourself of Lycanthropy. You should still be able to use the Ring of
Hircine power once per day (even without the ring). You can then find a
vampire and contract Sanguinare Vampiris normally. You should now be a
normal vampire. Best of you are already a werewolf and want to be a hybrid.
[ 9.3 ] Necromage
Perks and abilities that you gain while a vampire are boosted if you obtain
them after you take Necromage. If you cure yourself of vampirism the
bonuses will remain as long as you have that ability or don't remove the
affected piece of equipment. You can then become a werewolf as normal.
This means that certain things can be boosted for the werewolf's benefit.
Obviously weapons/armor won't retain their bonuses since they are unequipped
upon transformation. Perks, quest bonuses, and standing stones can retain
the necromage-boosted numbers. (Standing stone bonuses will be lost if you
change stones).
Unfortunately you need to reach 70 in restoration before you can do this.
Fortunately if you want Avoid Death you were going to need the high ranking
in restoration anyway.
An easy way to grind this is to have 3000 gold and repeatedly train and then
pickpocket your gold back from the restoration teacher at the College. Save
before you pickpocket and level up when you reached your 5/5 training limit.
You will gain around 10-15 levels this way and you will need to buy the perks
from the pickpocket tree to be able to keep reclaiming your gold.
Here is a short list of beneficial abilities (testing):
NOTE: Necromage boosted Atronach Perk (37.5%) + Atronach Stone (62.5%) = 100%
Magic Resitance (37.5), Lord Stone (31.25), Agent of Mara (18.75) = 87.5
spell resistance (the cap is 85). 81.25% for a Breton without the stone.
- Atronach Perk will give you 37.5% spell absorption instead of 30%
- Atronach Stone goes from 50% to 62.5%
- Magic Resistance goes from 30% to 37.5%
- Agent of Mara 18.75% magicka resistance
- Recover regenerates magicka 62% faster
- Avoid death +312 health
- Sailor's Repose +12.5% to healing spells
- Avoid Death + Sailor's Repose necromaged heals between 450-500 health
- Pickpocket gives you more carry capacity
- Lord Stone gives 31.25% magicka resistance, 62.5 armor
If you have the Dawnguard DLC you can level your skills as a werewolf, gain
Vampire Lord form, take the Necromage Perk and the perks you want boosted, and
then speak to Aela the Huntress to become a werewolf again. You can only do
this once.
** [ 10.0 ] DLC *************************************************************
-- [ 10.1 ] DAWNGUARD -------------------------------------------------------
[ 10.1.1 ] Werewolf Perk Tree
With the release of the first DLC from Bethesda comes a much needed boost to
the werewolf's capabilities...a WEREWOLF PERK TREE! Of course it should go
without saying that you should completely fill out this tree. Experience is
gained by feeding on corpses while in Beast Form. This tree boosts health,
damage, feeding, and allows you to empower your werewolf howls. Be aware
that you must obtain the Totems through the Totems of Hircine quests before
the upgraded howls can be used. If you purchase the perk without the howl
then the RB button will do nothing while in werewolf form.
Some things that have changed for werewolves with the DLC:
- Werewolves have an automatic natural armor that scales with level. It
starts at level 11 with 35 armor and increases by 50 for every 5 levels to a
maximum of around 391 (there are many decimals involved in the calculation)
at level 46. We only need it to reach 367 to reach the cap. This
stacks with flesh spells so that ebonyflesh will cause you to reach the
maximum armor cap. This makes dragonhide obsolete for Dawnguard werewolves.
- You can see the werewolf perk tree by pressing B while in werewolf form
- Werewolf's health bonus is reduced from 100 to 50. Stamina is still 100
New perks become available after feeding on enough corpses. Each new perk
requires a few more feedings. Whenever you feed you will get a message that
you consumed the heart. With enough feedings it will tell you that a
werewolf perk is available. You can gain one additional feeding per corpse
if you cast the Soul Trap spell on it. If you wish you can just use this
to level werewolf perks outside of beast form.
*agentspoon on Gamefaqs also discovered this:
While testing out Auriels Shield I found an interesting glitch. Auriels
Shield allows the player to store the kinetic energy of blocked attacks
up to three levels which takes 15 blocked attacks. Then pressing and holding
attack while blocking will release this energy and blast the enemy
back. What interesting is that this also puts the Heart Consumed message in
the top left hand of the screen. So bashing with the powered up shield
lets you level up werewolf perks without being transformed.
The first perk is available after 5 feedings. Each subsequent perk requires
2-3 more feedings than the last. This amounts to around 164 feedings to
acquire all of the perks. Once you obtain savage feeding you can feed from
most living things to advance your perk tree. All feedings are equal whether
it be a frost troll or a rabbit, it will fill the progress bar
equally. There are a number of bandit hideouts near Whiterun that you can
easily achieve savage feeding. Leveling is much easier from then on.
*AddictedToXbox on Gamefaqs discovered that if you attack Sam Guevenne in any
of the taverns, he will summon a Dremora. As a werewolf, you can maul this
Dremora and immediately feed on it before it disappears. He summons the
Dremora indefinitely, so it might be useful for leveling up your skill tree.
- Bestial Strength 1/2/3/4
Do more damage as a werewolf
Increase damage by +25% with each level. At maximum power this will allow
normal attacks to do 140 damage and your leap attack to a whopping 420
damage! Add insult to injury with the orc's racial power and you can do 840
damage.
- Totem of the Predator
Werewolf Totem of the Hunt has extended range and shows whether the targets
are not in combat, searching, or actively in combat. Aggressive creatures
will glow red, passive ones glow blue. If you have Quiet Casting from the
Illusion tree you can use this without alerting enemies.
- Totem of Ice Brothers
Werewolf Totem of Brotherhood calls Ice Wolves
Summons two ice wolves in place of the two regular wolves. The Ice Wolves
have twice as much health as the regular wolves, or estimated at about 150
each.
- Totem of the Moon
Werewolf Totem of Brotherhood howl calls werewolves
Summons two werewolves in place of ice or regular wolves. The summoned
werewolves have about 300 health each and can use power attacks to knockdown
foes. Definitely the best endgame howl.
- Totem of Terror
Werewolf Howl of Terror affects higher level enemies
The normal howl caps out at affecting level 25 enemies. This boosts it by
about 10 levels. Tested with level 37 guards in Whiterun and they weren't
affected. It will affect most enemies except bosses and leveled NPCs that
can level higher than 35.
- Animal Vigor
100 point bonus to health and stamina in beast form
Dawnguard reduces the bonus from Beast Form from 100 to 50, but allows you
to gain extra health with the Animal Vigor perks. Your stamina will still
increase to 300 if you haven't put any points in it. Definitely get this.
- Gorging
Feeding heals twice as much health
When feeding you regain 100 health instead of 50. You can still cancel
feeding by pressing X or RB.
- Savage Feeding
Able to feed off most dead creatures. Feeding off creatures instead of
people only provides half the extended time.
You can feed off of most any living creature. Skeevers, spiders, trolls,
wolves, sabercats, mudcrabs, giants, falmer, gargoyles...but not Draugr, and
you can no longer feed on vampires. You will want to obtain this quickly
since it will allow gaining the other perks much quicker.
[ 10.1.2 ] Vampire Lord
During the Dawnguard quest line you have the option of becoming a Vampire
Lord. Using a some glitches you can be have different combinations:
VAMPIRE -> HYBRID
Complete the Companions quest to become a werewolf in the Underforge.
Activate the blood the in-game minute before you progress to the next stage
of vampirism. You will remain at that stage indefinitely and you will have
Beast Blood.
VAMPIRE -> VAMPIRE LORD
Do the Dawnguard quest line to become a Vampire Lord.
VAMPIRE/VAMPIRE LORD -> WEREWOLF
Do the Companion's quest line to gain Beast Blood or, if you already had
Beast Blood once and had it removed, you can speak to Aela to gain
lycanthropy again.
WEREWOLF -> VAMPIRE
Cure yourself of Lycanthropy by the Purity quest line and contract the
disease that causes vampirism or obtaining Vampire Lord form through
Dawnguard.
WEREWOLF -> VAMPIRE LORD
See above.
HYBRID -> VAMPIRE LORD
You will lose Beast Blood when you gain Vampire Lord.
VAMPIRE LORD -> HYBRID
If you haven't completed the Companion's quest to become a werewolf then
you can activate the blood when you progress to the next stage of vampirism
(you will lose your Vampire Lord powers but still have Beast Blood and
vampirism). If you have already done the Companion's quest then you cannot
be a hybrid. You will not get the +25% to illusion and sneak if you do
this.
So Hybrids...you can gain Necromage benefits from permanent bonuses or a
chosen standing stone that you keep active all the time and you
have to do so BEFORE you become a werewolf or using the unique method to
become a hybrid detailed below.
For Werewolves, now you don't have to power level restoration in the
beginning before becoming a werewolf. When you are ready with your abilities
you want to boost you can hop into VL and then back to Werewolf. You only
get one shot at it, though.
[ 10.1.3 ] Unique Dawnguard Hybrids
At the end of the Dawnguard quest there is a follower that will be able to
transform you into vampire at any time. If you missed your chance when first
becoming a werewolf you can take advantage of this one-time to become a
vampire/werewolf hybrid. You can even be a Vampire Lord/Werewolf
Vampire/Werewolf Hybrid
Pros:
-Beast Form 1/day or unlimited with Ring of Hircine
-Vampiric Drain ability for 5 health/second
-Vampire Servant reanimates a very powerful undead for 60 seconds 1/day.
-Vampire Seduction calms creatures up to level 10 for 30 seconds 1/day
-Vampire Sight gives improved nightvision for 60 sec 1/day*
-Embrace of Shadow makes you invisible 1/day for 180 seconds
-100% Resistance to frost (50% with Dawnguard, 100% if a Nord)
-Champion of the Night for vampire's +25% to Illusion spells.
-Nightstalker's Footsteps for the vampire's +25% bonus to sneaking
-100% resistance to poison*
*(if obtained, removed after 1st werewolf transformation)
Cons:
-You cannot feed as a vampire and you will progress to Stage 4 Vampirism
-Weakness to fire 50% (0% if a Dunmer)
-In sunlight Health, Magicka, and Stamina -60 and doesn't regenerate
-Does not benefit from the Necromage perk
-You cannot gain Vampire Lord form or powers
How:
You must have already completed the Dawnguard main quest to have Serana as
a follower and you cannot have had Aela transform you back into a werewolf
since she will only do this once. Get them both in the same room and equip
either the Beast Form power or the Ring of Hircine power to RB. Speak to
Serana with A and simultaneously press RB to transform into a werewolf.
Quickly select the menu options to have her transform you into a vampire.
Immediately speak to Aela the Huntress and select the option for her to
give you the beast blood again.
Vampire Lord/Werewolf Hybrid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcH8sHr7iaQ
Pros:
-You can switch back and forth between vampire lord and werewolf.
-No vampire weaknesses
-Access to both Beast Form and Vampire Lord form
-Benefits based on your last transformation
-If a vampire, you will be boosted by Necromage, and look like a vampire
-If a werewolf, you will lose Necromage boosts and look human.
-You can finish both Werewolf and Vampire Lord perk trees
Cons:
-No vampire powers except night vision
-Difficult to perform.
Have both Vampire Lord and Beast Form powers. Spoilers ahead. Get Serana
as a follower and she must be able to transform you in to a Vampire Lord.
Complete the Companions quest until "The Silver Hand". Press A to drink
the blood and simultaneously begin your VL transformation with RB. You
will appear outside of the Underforge and finish the transformation.
Select "Revert". Immediately have Serana turn you back in to a vampire.
If done correctly (the timing is quite strict) you will have both powers.
If you feed as a vampire (not during VL or WW form) you become a normal
vampire and can never again return to this unique state with no weaknesses.
[ 10.1.4 ] Regaining Lycanthropy
It is possible to regain the Beast Blood once you have cured yourself either
by obtaining Vampire Lord form or through the curing quests mentioned in the
earlier section. If you speak to Aela she will give you the option to be
granted the Beast Blood once again. YOU CAN ONLY DO THIS ONCE.
[ 10.1.5 ] New Stuff
New weapons, shouts, items, followers, etc, etc, etc. found in the DLC.
Most of them don't benefit us in Beast Form, but here are some specific things
that may be useful:
- Serana
Serana will not become aggressive when you transform or are in Beast Form.
- Blessing of Auriel
+10% to missile weapons
- Dragon Shouts - Summon Durnehviir
Like other summons, provides and extra target and additional damage.
- Conjuration Spells
Conjure Boneman â Summons a Boneman Archer for 60 seconds
Conjure Mistman â Summons a Mistman from the Soul Cairn for 60 seconds
Conjure Wrathman â Summons a Wrathman from the Soul Cairn for 60 seconds
Like other summons, provides and extra target and additional damage.
- Restoration Spell - Stendarr's Aura
For 60 seconds, undead in melee range take 10 points sun damage per second.
-- [ 10.2 ] DRAGONBORN -------------------------------------------------------
New weapons, shouts, items, followers, etc, etc, etc. found in the DLC.
Most of them don't benefit us in Beast Form, but here are some specific things
that may be useful:
[ 10.2.1 ] Unique Werewolf Rings
These rings can be bought from Majni in Frostmoon Crag. Inhabitants of the
crag are friendly to you if you are a werewolf but will be hostile if you are
not. If you kill Majini you will be unable to obtain the rings. They are
between 5000-6000 gp each so have a fat wallet if you want them all at once.
The effects only become active if you have the ring equipped when you shift.
You cannot use the follower equip glitch to stack them mid-transformation or
use the equip glitch on one transformation to equip them hoping to use them
on a second transformation.
The game will remember the last werewolf ring that you used and will apply the
effect to your transformations until you change rings. For example if you use
a ring and transform using Beast Form you will gain the bonus. If you equip
the Ring of Hircine (and therefore cannot equip the werewolf rings) and then
you transform you will still get the bonus from the last werewolf ring used.
- Ring of Bloodlust
While in Beast Form, you do 50% more damage, but you also take 50% more damage
One of the top 2 new rings, with a properly build werewolf build you can take
advantage of the damage increase but mitigate the damage increase with things
like flesh spells and magicka resistance. Orcs can do exceptional damage
with this ring while Berserk and the 50% damage resistance cancels out the
weakness from the ring.
- Ring of Instinct
When you enter Beast Form, the world around you seems to slow for 20 seconds
You can't use Slow Time before transforming because most of the effect is used
during your transformation. Luckily, this takes effect only after your change
is completed. This can provide you with a way to rack up damage quickly before
the enemy has a chance to react. It can also prevent you from being massacred
if transforming in melee. Couple this with Whirlwind Cloak for some effective
crowd control.
- Ring of the Hunt
While in Beast Form, your health regenerates
Normally your health is so stunted in beast form that relying on normal health
regeneration is generally bad. Feeding on corpses and being quick on your feet
will provide you with most of your healing. It is the one-on-one drawn out
battles that can be the most damaging and where this will come in handy. Ring
of the Hunt removes the penalty to health regeneration. Your regeneration can
be boosted by things like potions, the Lady Stone, etc but not from equipment
since all of that is removed upon transformation. Remember, the more maximum
health you have the more you regen/second. With this ring you can regenerate
around 1.5% of your maximum life per second.
- Ring of the Moon
Increases the duration of your Howls by 25%
This really only affects the Totem of Brotherhood since the Totem of Fear is
spammable with a short cooldown and Totem of the Hunt usually doesn't want for
a long duration. Probably the least beneficial of the four rings, IMO.
[ 10.2.2 ] Blessings
- Blessing of Azura
+10% Magicka Resistance
Located at the shrine in Raven Rock this is a great addition. With the Lord
Stone you can get a good defense against mages. The con is that you have to
travel back to activate it every 8 hours. Otherwise awesome.
[ 10.2.3 ] Dragon Shouts
Battle Fury
Increases the speed of your allies attacks like Elemental Fury. Unfortunately
you cannot use this on your Brotherhood allies but you can use it with a
follower. Hopefully they won't turn aggresive when you transform.
Bend Will
You can cause creatures and even dragons to become allies for 30 seconds. You
can use it before starting a battle, but not as useful as summons and it does
not remove the threat, only delays it.
Cyclone
Knocks enemies into the air. If you are caught unawares then Become Ethereal
is probably a better escape button than this. Not really that useful.
Dragon Aspect
300 second duration. With one word +25 Armor rating, and power attacks do 25%
more damage. Two words: +100 Armor rating, Ancient Dragonborn summoned if
health below 50%, +25% fire and frost resistance. Three words: Shout recharge
time reduced by 20%. Can be used once per day.
If ever there was a shout to benefit werewolves, this is it. Increase in
armor, damage, fire/frost resistance, AND it summons an Ancient Dragonborn
automatically when you are below 50% health. Good for big baddies since it
is only a once/day shout, but wow.
[ 10.2.4 ] Greater Powers
*Only one power from each Black Book can be obtained at a time
Hidden Twilight
Mora's Boon - Restores 1000 to Health, Magicka and Stamina.
Powerful, but not useful until Beast Form ends. Good to replenish in the
middle of a long fight before reshifting. If you finish a fight, normally
you can just wait one hour to heal.
Mora's Agony - Summons a field of writhing tentacles that lasts 30 seconds
and poisons foes who enter it. Another cloak/field effect. Not great since
you move around alot while in combat.
Mora's Grasp - Targets frozen between Oblivion and Tamriel for 30 sec.,
but are immune to damage. You want to damage the enemies, not freeze them.
Filament and Filigree
Secret of Arcana
Spells cost no magicka for 30 seconds. Magicka cost reduction needs to be
more reliable to cast Alteration and Cloak spells.
Secret of Protection
You take half damage for 30 seconds. Half damage is good, but by the time
you transform this has all but worn off. Good to protect you while you
transform in combat or are surprised.
Secret of Strength
Power attacks cost no stamina for 30 seconds. Same as Secret of Protection.
The duration is too short. There are plenty of better ways to gain stamina.
Summon Karstaag
Summons Karstaag to fight for you for 120 seconds. You may only use this
ability 3 times, period (not per day) and only while outdoors.
[ 10.2.5 ] Cleansing Stones
Bones of the Earth
Caster ignores 80% of all physical damage for 30 seconds. Single use, then must
be reacquired at the Earth Stone. Best of the Cleansing Stones. 80% DR. If
you cannot kill your enemies in 30 seconds as a werewolf then you are doing
something wrong.
Conjure Werebear
Summons a Werebear for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing. Single use,
then must be reacquired at the Beast Stone. Stick to Totem of Brotherhood
North Wind
Targets take 20 points of frost damage for 10 seconds, plus Stamina damage.
Single use, then must be reacquired at the Wind Stone. Not good.
Root of Power
All spells cost 75% less to cast for 60 seconds. Single use, then must be
reacquired at the Tree Stone. Magicka cost reduction needs to be more
reliable to cast Alteration and cloak spells.
Sun Flare
A 100 point fiery explosion centered on the caster. Single use, then must
be reacquired at the Sun Stone. A one-shot 100 damage spell, not great.
Waters of Life
Heals everyone close to the caster 200 points. Usually you won't have many
followers around so this isn't great either. Single use, then must be
reacquired at the Water Stone.
[ 10.2.6 ] Lesser Powers
Bardic Knowledge
Summons a spectral drum that plays for 300 seconds, improving Stamina Regen
for you and nearby allies. Acquired from the Black Book Untold Legends.
Your stamina regeneration is already high, but more stamina and a beating
drum while you maul things, sure. Sounds ok.
Black Market
Summons a Dremora merchant for 15 seconds. Acquired from the Black Book
Untold Legends. Has 2000 gold, unaffected by Speech perks. Not useful in
werewolf form.
Breath of Nchuak
Draws upon stamina to release a scorching blast of steam that deals 15
points of damage per second. You have to have a mask equipped to use this.
Secret Servant
Summons a Dremora butler for 15 seconds to carry your excess items.
Acquired from the Black Book Untold Legends. Can carry up to 148 units.
Can be used to do the follower equip glitch.
[ 10.2.7 ] Passive Abilities
*Only one power from each Black Book can be obtained at a time
Winds of Change
Companion's Insight
Your attacks, shouts, and destruction spells do no damage to your
followers when in combat. Good so you don't accidentally maul your allies
while you are swinging around.
Lover's Insight
Do 10% more damage and get 10% better prices from people of the opposite sex.
Combine this with Agent of Dibella for even more damage. If you are a female
then you will have increased damage vs dragons, draugr, animals, etc. too.
The Sallow Regent
Seeker of Might
Combat skills are all 10% more effective. Unfortunately this affects skills
affected by the Warrior Stone...so no good for werewolves.
Seeker of Shadows
Stealth skills are all 10% more effective. This affects skills affected by
the Thief Stone. This helps stealth, but not much more.
Seeker of Sorcery. All spells cost 10% less magicka. Enchantments are 10%
more powerful. Probably the best of the three since it gives a permanent
10% reduction in your spell costs.
[ 10.2.8 ] Spells
- Whirlwind Cloak
For 60 seconds, opponents in melee range have a chance of being flung away.
Good for crowd control. Dual cast it for increased range.
** [ 11.0 ] Q&A ************************************************************
no questions submitted
** [ 12.0 ] LEGAL **********************************************************
I wrote this guide by using first hand experience and testing along with
resources such as the UESPwiki and the Elder Scrolls Wiki. If you have any
questions or contributions please email me at [email protected] with
the subject Werewolf Guide. I am very busy but will try to reply.
Feel free to copy and redistribute this work. It is here for the benefit of
the community. Just don't be a jerk and claim it as your own.
Thanks to all the contributors, participants, posters, and players on the
Gamefaqs Skyrim XBOX360, PC, and PS3 boards for providing me with an audience.
Thanks to my wife and family for putting up with watching me test things in
werewolf form. Particularly watching me get stepped on by giants repeatedly.